Butter
sculptures at The Big E are like peanut butter to jelly. Although the butter
sculpture was only made an annual tradition in 1996, the popularity of this
attraction makes it difficult to recall a time when butter art was not part of
New England’s Grandest Fair.
The
sculptors behind the extraordinary, 17 year butter montage are Jim Victor and
Marie Pelton. The team creates original food sculptures across the United
States at state fairs, corporate events and even for private clients. While
their primary medium at The Big E is butter, they have used a wide array of
edible items in their other work.
75th Anniversary Butter Cow |
When the
time came for The Big E’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1996, the
administration began envisioning something special to mark the occasion. A
decision was made to recreate the 1916 cow made entirely out of butter. Jim
Victor was hired for the job, which became a smash hit among fairgoers of all
ages. Marie Pelton joined the team in 2001.
The butter
sculpture starts out as a theme or topic and over the first week and a half of
the Fair, it is brought to life. Being an avid fairgoer, seeing the butter
sculpture each year was a treat. It is always cool to watch the creation take shape
and take guesses on what it would be.
Each year,
hundreds of pounds of butter are plastered on wire frames to create the scene.
In fact, over 600 pounds of butter, donated by Agrimark/Cabot Creamery, are
used for each design. During the Fair, the work all takes place in a specially
designed cooler located under the Mallary Rotunda.
This year’s
butter sculpture followed the theme, “Grown in New England,” sponsored by the
Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board. It featured a farmer with specialties from
each New England State – cheese, lobster, wine, trees, milk, ice cream and
bees.
Don't miss out on seeing The Big E's most unique attraction next year!
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